E. Mary Smith, 94, formerly of Bear Lake, Pa., died Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2012, at Heritage Park Nursing Home, in Jamestown, N.Y., where she had been a resident.
She was born on July 1, 1918, in Bear Lake, Pa., a daughter of the late Carl G. and Ethel J. Wood Crosby.
Mary graduated from Lottsville High School in 1936. Following graduation, she married Merritt G. Smith on Nov. 25, 1936, in Clymer, N.Y.
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E. Mary Smith
She had assisted her husband in the operation of their business, Smith Service Garage, in Bear Lake, Pa. Her primary goal was to care and raise her family. She later cleaned houses in Chautauqua, N.Y., for several years until her retirement when she was 75 years old.
Mary was a member of Bear Lake United Methodist Church since she was 12 years old. She taught Sunday school, Bible school, was Sunday school superintendent and secretary of the administrative board. Mary was also a member of the Warren County Home Extension and the Bear Lake Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary.
In addition to her parents, Mary was preceded in death by her stepmother Claudia Kolstee Crosby; her husband, Merritt G. Smith on Nov. 20, 1996; a daughter-in-law, Louise Smith; two sisters: Arlene Kent and Carol Burch; four brothers: James, Gerald, Earl and Lyle Crosby; and a granddaughter, Amy Smith.
Mary is survived by two daughters: Bonnie Lindquist and her husband, David, of Sherman, N.Y., and Manette Shamp and her husband, Lester, of Bear Lake, Pa.; three sons: Randy Smith of Bear Lake, Pa., Lynn Smith and his wife, Cynthia, of Sumter, S.C., and Larry Smith and his wife, Laurene, of Mt. Washington, Ky.; two sisters: Carlene LeCocq of Seal Beach, Calif., and Ella Mae Gibbs of Ashville, N.Y.; and two brothers: Claude Crosby of Youngsville, Pa., and Lee Crosby and his wife, Betty, of Bear Lake, Pa.; 14 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
Family and friends are invited to call on Saturday at the Panama Baptist Church, 22 North St., Panama, N.Y., from 10 a.m. until the time of the funeral service there at 11 a.m. The Rev. Rodney Sprowls will officiate.
Burial will be in the Bear Lake Cemetery, Bear Lake, Pa.
Funeral arrangements are under the care of the Bracken Funeral Home, 315 N. Center St., Corry, Pa.
Memorials may be made to the Panama Baptist Church, 22 North St., Panama, NY 14767; or a church of one's choice.
